LEADERS Wiveliscombe lst XV secured their 14th win of the season in Counties One Western West when they beat bottom side Saltash 34-8 at home, writes Roger Bellamy.

The game was played on Wivey’s Plain Pond pitch which was in reasonable condition after the recent wet weather, compared to the main ground at The Rec.

A try from second row Rory Stone after a period of pressure near the visitors’ try line gave Wivey an early 5-0 lead which was reduced to 5pts 3pts soon after when Jack Pritchard converted a penalty for the visitors.

One of Wiveliscombe’s promising young players Jack Lee, playing on the left wing, showed good pace and strength to cross the visitors try line in the corner. Flyhalf Dan Quick converted for a 12-3 lead for the home side.

Wiveliscombe’s defence was solid and the visitors were limited to the occasional period of pressure from both threes and forwards. The home team increased their lead to 22pts 3pts with scrum half Richard Baker crossing for two fine individual tries to put the home team in a strong position.

Saltash crossed for their one try of the game after their threes created an opening for centre Bill Dover.

To their credit Saltash, who trailed 22-8 at the interval, showed a lot of spirit in the second half but could not prevent Wivey from adding another two tries.

Centre Will Thorne rarely misses a chance to score for Wiveliscombe and he crossed for the home team’s fifth try to make it 27-8.

Following second row Ross Pearson’s two tries the previous week at St Ives, it was his partner in the scrum Rory Stone who added his second try to complete a comfortable victory for the home team.

Fixtures: Feb 28th Wiveliscombe 1st XV v Kingsbridge 1st XV. (League) home; Wiveliscombe 2nd XV v Martock. (League) away.